Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-09-03
A SERMON ON NEWSPAPERS.


Rev. Augustine DAWSON, of North
BALTIC. Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, preached on newspapers. His
text was: " Give attendance to read
ing" He said: "The most respon-
sible moral agency Of the country is
journalism. tits responsible not only
because of what it can do, but also
because of what has been done. In
this country it has come up through
much tribulation to its present atti-
tude of mighty power. The first paper
christened Public Occurrences, was
born in Boston, September 16, 1890,
and died with the first issue. Next,
in 1904, appeared the Boston Ne,rs
Letter. Papers followed in Philadel-
phia, in 17l9; New York, 1875; An
napolis, Md. 1927; Charleston, S. c.,
1881 /; Newport, r. l., 1885; Williams
burg, Va, 1855. InJ74S only six pla-
ces In the United States had papers.
In 1887 they appear in every town of
one thousand Inhabitants. In 1704
there was only one paper read, mostly
by the rich; in 1887 there are 10000
newspapers, with an aggregate an
nual circulation of two billion copies.
The number in tho Uaited States
equals those of all other countries
combined, and the circulation out
numbers them. 1t is seen they -four
ish best under the freest government.
We have 500 German papers, 35
French, % Spanish, 25 Norwegian,
Danish, and SW edish, 10 Bohemian,
10 Hollandish, Welsh, 2 Portuguese,
2 Polish, l Hebrew, Cherokee, l
Ch0ctaw. Now papers find their way
into every home. Horatio Sheppard
should have monument, for he and
Horace Greedy first in 1882, conceived
the idea of a cheap newspaper. Soon,
from circulation of 5000 they ran up
to 10000. Baltimore soon followed
the New York cheap papers. Atfirst
a sSn noM affa 8ss al yrs n9Fsn vaFplsnt
glish editor said he had made full
discovery of the lies, forgeries, inso-
lence and profanity of two cotempo-
rary sheets. General Washington
was scprrulously scandalized as felon
in language which would not bear re-
peating nowadays. Formerly, pa
pers only took cognizance of public
men and measures. Now, they pry In
to domestic matters. The harm or
good they do depend much upon their
management. Good men are back of
good papers. A good secular paper is
no less a good preacher then is re-
ligious one. There are about 500 re-
ligious papers which enter 100000
homes. Thousands of people who
never go to church have the gospel
taken to them. The grandest preach
ers can reach only few thousand at
best with their tongues; but the news
paper carries their words to millions
more. AS class. editors are among
the most intelligent men we have.
From among editors have been taken
one vice president, several governors
and quite q number of senators, con-
gressmen and ministers to foreign
courts. In the Forty-first Congress
there were eight editors in the Senate
and twenty-six in the house. Re-
porters frequently employ style that
for simplicity and directness might be
coveted by the best preachers. The
skillful newspaper man knows the
shortest way tn the head and heart of
the public. Considering the intelli-
gence of newspapers, their circulation,
their power over the public conscience,
ought they not to the purest of teach
ers? Ought there not to be provision
In the Litany for prayers for the press:
and should we not all remember them
in our prayers? The ideal news
paper is the one in which the editor
will publish his own affairs as freely
as any other mans, and be as willing
for every article in the paper to be
read in his own home as elsewere.
Bring into your homes newspapers
which give the most information.
Let them refer to all departments of
life-social, political, economic, re-
ligious and casual. Read in advance
of and for the younger members ofthe
family. Every well stocked news
paper will have something for each.
Teach the children that good news
paper Is an educator; that by it he can
keep abreast of history. Let him live
in the sunlight and not the shadow Of
to-day.